The Origins of the Toilet Seat

Copyright (c) 2010 Filton Kingswood

Archaeologists believe that the toilet seat dates back to 2800 B.C. Mohenjo-Daro, one of the first urban settlements in the world, in South Asia, built lavatories into the outer wall of their homes. These were constructed of piles of bricks, topped with a wooden seat, very similar to the design of Western sitting toilets today. This article looks at the history of the toilet seat and how it's developed into today's common place item.

Unfortunately we may never know the answers to these questions as the toilet seat has enjoyed a long, prosperous life. Archaeologists believe that toilets and sewers came into existence in the third millennium B.C which was known as the 'dawn of cleanliness'. Around 2800 B.C. Mohenjo-Daro, known as 'mound of the dead' was one of the first urban settlements in the world, located in South Asia. The more wealthy inhabitants of this great city built lavatories into the outer wall of their homes. These were constructed of piles of bricks, topped with a wooden seat, very similar to the design of Western sitting toilets today.

The first appearance of toilet seats in the Western world is believed to have been in the era of the Roman Empire. The Romans were obsessed with cleanliness and built vast sewer systems which took waste away from the cities. Within their famous baths, they built chambers especially for going to the lavatory, these comprised of rows of brick pedestals topped with circular wooden seats.

It isn't known whether the Romans used the toilet seat as a barrier against the sewage flowing below, or as a way of making the experience of going to the toilet more comfortable. It is speculated that the wooden toilet seat provided relief from squatting for long periods of time. An alternative view is that the wood had a nicer feel than the rough brickwork the toilets were made of. Another juncture is that the wood was warmer to rest on than the brickwork so provided more comfort in cooler climates. We may just never know the motivation before this invention.

It wasn't until the mid-19th century that sitting toilets came into general use in the western world. They started off being a luxury item for the more wealthy people of society with each toilet featuring a seat to sit on. In the 1950's toilets were still generally communal items amongst the general public with many families sharing one outside toilet - these toilets never had a seat. It wasn't until the 1970s that the majority of houses in the UK had indoor toilets and toilet seats were taken for granted.

Toilet seats have come a long way in terms of design and style within the last twenty years. Toilet seats now come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, usually depending on the style of the toilet itself. Plus you can now choose from a range of colours and even patterns.

The toilet seat is a hinged unit comprising of a seat and a lid which is then bolted onto the toilet bowl for stability. The seat is primarily designed to provide comfort when going to the toilet, whilst the lid is designed to block off the toilet to stop any odours entering the rest of the house.

Today toilet seats can be made of a variety of materials including plastic, steel, ivory, wood or porcelain. Generally household toilet seats are either round or oval in design, however u-shaped toilet seats are commonly found in public toilets. Metal toilets found in prisons, tend to have built-in toilet seats to stop them being removed by inmates.

In the last few years, the UK has seen a wider range of toilet seats on the market. These include quirky designs such as being inlaid with barbed wire or even sweets for a unique style. There are even high tech toilet seats on the market which incorporate heating.

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